Wishbass Club (part IV)

[newfuture]

That is, you COULD.. if the strings were touching anything metallic!

I've taken to using a length of bare, solid core, hookup wire. I sandwich a bit under the aluminum plate, and weave the other end of the wire around the strings, between the bridge and through-holes. not the most finished look, but it works quite well.

 

[SpankyPants]

Good evening Mr. Pants,

Here is something else you may want to consider, have it delivered without any bridge or string through holes, and have the hipshots installed by a local luthier. While you are at it, have him leave off the fret markers as well.

Hey james! As per our previous conversation, I was planning on getting without markers. However, I was worried that getting a bass without a bridge may cause some problems with the rest of the bass. Pickup placement, slotting the nut, making sure the neck is straight and playable, etc. I considered just getting it without a bridge, but I'm afraid that playing a bass that's (at least) semi-finished can be a crucial part in testing, troubleshooting, or finishing the rest of the bass. Does that make sense, or am I just being overly doubtful in Wish? Like I've told him, I don't know much about custom/customizing basses... so he (or y'all) would know way better than me.

Spanky; Besides everything you've read in this thread, there is a "list" of things to never do when ordering a Wishbass.

Caught that, too. Already read (skimmed...) most of parts II and III. Lots of great info there!

I agree with one of the previous posts; go ahead and get the bass done unfinished, with not holes drilled and no fret markers. In doing that you'll remove many of the issues completely that you'd likely be correcting down the road.

That's something I've been considering... But I'm still trying to weigh how it will affect how the rest of the instrument gets finished.

Others may chime in here on the advisability of this move, but: Spanky, I would suggest that you actually call Wish and ask him if a 2" (or even narrower!) nut for a 6-string is something he will do, in light of your physical constraints. (He does build guitars, so this shouldn't be anything he's never handled before.) And in the interest of NOT getting him tired of you, be sure you have ALL questions ready to ask in one conversation. That way the whole build will be fresh in his mind, all in one piece, all issues will be resolved beforehand, and you can submit a clean build order that you will not change along the way.

Wish has his issues (as he points out!) but he seems to be a reasonable fellow, as long as everything is laid out clean to start.

I think this may be a good idea as a next step, but I think I'm gonna hold out for just a tad longer. This is exactly the type of conversation I was looking for (thanks everyone btw), so hopefully we can continue to work things out before I give Wish a call. I already sent him 2 emails, and he responded to both. I figure I'll gather as much info as possible here before going back to him with a new set of questions, haha.

 

[eli]

A word about the bridge drills: Wish will get the holes close enough that string spacing can be corrected with fairly shallow bridge slots -- I would think you could file them shallow enough that they should not affect the overall action. I agree that there are a lot of basic issues that Wish can't complete without a bridge and strings -- like a reasonably straight fingerboard, or a dead pickup or a bad pot (not unheard of), and I would certainly want him to be able to do at least that much, especially given your lack of advanced lutherie tools.

 

[Thunderitter]

Big price drop on my Wishbass auction, to make way for three new projects!!

Tell a friend!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290350116786&_trksid=p2762.l1259#ht_1767wt_1167

 

[Rip Topaz]

Grrr... You're making this VERY difficult, Thunder, but I'm tying the knot on Friday so I'm gonna have to pass. D**M you did a great job refinishing the TB. Can't wait to see what's next!!!

 

[AltGrendel]

I was looking at the first thread on this and I noticed that he doesn't have the "Lobe" model on his web site any more. Does that mean he won't make it at all any more or do you just have to ask nicely?

 

[eli]

I was looking at the first thread on this and I noticed that he doesn't have the "Lobe" model on his web site any more. Does that mean he won't make it at all any more or do you just have to ask nicely?

I believe he's said the Lobe is his most popular model... I can't imagine him not making one for you. He puts them up on ebay all the time.

 

[49sfine]

I believe he's said the Lobe is his most popular model... I can't imagine him not making one for you. He puts them up on ebay all the time.

+1 on the Lobe issue - it is his biggest seller it seems and he makes them very regularly.

 

[Thunderitter]

I think it's fair to say the Lobe along with the Hipper are the most 'conventional' of the line!

 

[newfuture]

I think it's fair to say the Lobe along with the Hipper are the most 'conventional' of the line!

and they're both very comfortable to me in terms of balance and playability.

 

[eli]

and they're both very comfortable to me in terms of balance and playability.

I was thrilled with the "hang angle" of my Lobe when I first strapped it on -- neck was way up, no dive at all.

Only problem was I had to hike up the strap length, but that wasn't the bass's fault: since the two strap buttons are at the center of the bass, the line between them is a little lower, just enough to put it below my... er... tummy line -- and the bass tilted away from me such that I couldn't see the marker dots above the 12th fret position. Once above the belly, everything was fine (except my self-image).

 

[standupright]

I was thrilled with the "hang angle" of my Lobe when I first strapped it on -- neck was way up, no dive at all.

Only problem was I had to hike up the strap length, but that wasn't the bass's fault: since the two strap buttons are at the center of the bass, the line between them is a little lower, just enough to put it below my... er... tummy line -- and the bass tilted away from me such that I couldn't see the marker dots above the 12th fret position. Once above the belly, everything was fine (except my self-image).

i agree.......what neck dive?

 

[49sfine]

i agree.......what neck dive?

I love seeing a Wishbass "out in the field" - looks pretty stock too, which is even kooler. Thanks!

Any others with shots of gigging Wishbasses?

 

[standupright]

I love seeing a Wishbass "out in the field" - looks pretty stock too, which is even kooler. Thanks!

Any others with shots of gigging Wishbasses?

yep....that was stock, out of the case, never saw a tech. got it, played it a bunch, then used it on a bunch of gigs. now it's in pieces being refinished.

 

[yogadork]

Just popped the BIN on the 5 string lobe. Decided I could live with the fact that it was originally drilled four 4 strings and also asked Wish if he would sell me a nut and bridge for a four string in case I want to go that way with it. I also have a nice 5 string metal bridge laying around that I might want to experiment with.

 

[eli]

Any others with shots of gigging Wishbasses?

Well, I won't need to bother to post one... except for the 5th string, the facial hair, and that *awesome* tie, my shot would look pretty much like standupright's.

 

[eli]

Just popped the BIN on the 5 string lobe. Decided I could live with the fact that it was originally drilled four 4 strings and also asked Wish if he would sell me a nut and bridge for a four string in case I want to go that way with it. I also have a nice 5 string metal bridge laying around that I might want to experiment with.

Nice! You'll like it, I promise.

 

[5108audio]

Anybody else surprised that TR's latest refin is still on the block at eBay? That thing is a beauty! Too bad it's not lefty...

 

[standupright]

Well, I won't need to bother to post one... except for the 5th string, the facial hair, and that *awesome* tie, my shot would look pretty much like standupright's.

we decided to wear all black for the gig, and then our singer shows up and she hands us these ties, so that was about when our drummer whipped out an afro-

 

[Thunderitter]

Anybody else surprised that TR's latest refin is still on the block at eBay? That thing is a beauty! Too bad it's not lefty...

Quite a few folks sent messages saying the loved it but didn't have the money - sign of the times I think!

I've been messing with the 'buy it now' price to see if I can get any bites. I started low and then I've been raising it each night.

Had one guy ready to buy in Europe but he went to bed with 90mins to go (it was 2.30 am I suppose) having negotiated a shipping discount and saying he was going to buy it! He hasn't popped up again, but the bass is now cheaper than the deal we agreed so who knows.

I'll be upping the 'Buy it Now' again tonight - up another $25. So if anyone wants it without the wait of the auction get in quick!

I'm not messing with folks to say what a nice bass this is - certainly one that I would play out and no quirks at all, or at least none that I haven't completely fixed! It's easily the nicest fingerboard I've done to date, not that there was anything wrong with the others(!), just that I think rosewood is a great wood for them.

Interesting I've had several folks contact me asking if I'll refinish the basses they already own. I'm up for that although it they all come through I'm going to be very busy between now and Xmas.

....and before anyone asks, my starting price for a refin is $250 and I have a shopping list of extras from there, varitone, strap locks, ebony bridge, fretlights, etc., etc (Feel free to PM me).